Afcon: Fans beg Eagles to step up game against Ethiopia

Abuja – A cross section of Super Eagles fans on Friday said eagles must step up their game against Ethiopia or lose out in the group stage of AFCON.

Some of them, who spoke in Abuja, said if Nigeria played a draw against Ethiopia that would be the end of their participation.

Albert Effigiri, coach of Shettima Babes said that the team really tried compared with their last match against Burkina Faso, adding that they had improved on their defense.

“In fact, there was a lot of improvement and all the changes were technically applied, especially in the defense, so they tired.’’

According to him, if the referee had not awarded the penalty, the Zambians would not have equalised in the game, adding that the referee was not supposed to have awarded a penalty but a free kick.

“I am not happy because if you look at the penalty, the guy was at the edge of the eighteen yard box, it should have been a free kick; but all the same, Super Eagles played well and the changes were okay this time.’’

He said that there was still hope for the country if the Eagles could manage a win in their last group match.

“All we are expecting is a win against Ethiopia.’’

Gwagwalada United coach, Pascal Zozo said that the team tried their best, adding that for the team to play a draw with the defending champions, they should be commended.

“If the whole defending champions can play a draw with Nigeria, I see no reason why we should kill ourselves; the players tried.

“Nigeria should work very hard in their next match; I know the team is full of surprises so we cannot predict them but in this situation if we draw then we won’t qualify,’’ he added. (NAN)